"So this is the Root's base?"
Looking at the collapsed ground and the massive crater that had been revealed below, Kitagawa Minamoto couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. But he quickly understood the situation.
The Root's base, true to its name, was deeply buried underground.
Fighting in this place and causing it to collapse wasn't exactly surprising.
"Fighting here isn't ideal. I should find an opportunity to move this elsewhere."
After all, this was his Konohagakure!
How could he allow this place to be destroyed?
While he was deep in thought, the Akatsuki members, covered in dust, climbed out of the debris.
"This guy..."
Sasori and Kakuzu stared at the collapsed ground and the flattened surroundings, their faces filled with disbelief. For a moment, they were both silent.
Itachi Uchiha and Kisame, however, remained relatively composed. After all, one was a spy, and both had previously experienced Minamoto's strength firsthand.
"You..."
Nagato, on the other hand, couldn't accept what had just happened. His expression twisted as he stared at Kitagawa Minamoto in disbelief, his lips twitching.
Although he had heard rumors that this man possessed powers similar to his own, he had never encountered him before and couldn't confirm the truth.
But now, he was certain.
"Who exactly are you? Why do you have the abilities of the Rinnegan?!"
"The abilities of the Rinnegan?"
Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head lightly. Although his face was hidden, everyone could sense the disdain in his tone.
"I've already said, the Rinnegan's power stems from the Divine Tree's fruit. The abilities you use are merely derived from that fruit's power."
"The Divine Tree's fruit?"
Nagato was perplexed by Minamoto's words. Not only him, but the others also struggled to comprehend what he meant.
They all knew that Nagato possessed these eyes, and it was precisely because of these eyes that he commanded their respect and obedience.
But in their memories, weren't the Rinnegan the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths?
What was this about the Divine Tree?
"My apologies. Discussing the Divine Tree with you inferior creatures was my mistake. You simply wouldn't understand."
Minamoto shook his head again, his tone calm as he chuckled softly and continued.
"Now then, can you hand over your eyes to me? That way, you can avoid an unnecessary battle."
"Hmph!"
Nagato didn't respond verbally but let out a cold snort, assuming a combat stance.
The other Akatsuki members exchanged glances. In the next moment, Sasori unfurled a scroll, summoning the puppet of the Third Kazekage to his side.
Kakuzu's body split apart, revealing several mask-like entities that surrounded him.
Itachi's eyes transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan, while Kisame raised his Samehada sword.
"I see."
Kitagawa Minamoto watched this scene and sighed softly, as if disappointed.
But deep down, he was intrigued. He had already learned from Kisame about Nagato's current state.
He was curious to see what this "complete version" of Nagato was capable of.
"It seems letting go is difficult for you. That's fine. You can hold onto them, and then..."
Buzz—
In an instant, Minamoto moved.
"I'll take them myself."
His calm voice was accompanied by a roaring surge of Chakra.
The Sword of Totsuka, combined with a blade formed from black rods, slashed through the air.
A storm erupted, sweeping across everything around them!
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
Kakuzu immediately pressed his hands to the ground, summoning a massive earthen wall that rose like a fortress.
But in the blink of an eye, the blade sliced through the wall effortlessly!
"What?!"
Kakuzu's expression changed. His technique had been destroyed so easily?
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wall!"
Sasori, witnessing this, quickly manipulated the Third Kazekage puppet to unleash Magnet Release.
But even the iron sand wall didn't last long. Sasori watched in shock as a massive dent appeared in the wall.
Boom—
The next moment, a deafening explosion rang out. The iron sand wall shattered, scattering iron sand everywhere!
The residual energy from the attack continued to surge towards Sasori and Kakuzu.
"Damn it!"
Both Sasori and Kakuzu's faces darkened. One controlled the Third Kazekage puppet to evade, while the other darted to the side.
But before they could escape, an immense gravitational force pulled them back.
"Summoning Technique!"
Fortunately, Nagato acted. He slammed his hand onto the ground, summoning several massive creatures that roared and shielded Sasori.
Boom—
The shockwave from Minamoto's attack struck the summoned beasts, tearing them apart.
The beasts howled in agony, their bodies shattered into pieces.
However, under Nagato's Chakra control, their torn bodies reassembled.
"Impressive control."
Minamoto nodded slightly in acknowledgment. But in the next instant, his blade, imbued with the combined powers of Yin and Yang Release, descended once more.
Boom—
The ground trembled violently. The summoned beasts disintegrated into ash almost instantly!
"What?"
Nagato was stunned. Weren't these creatures supposed to be immortal?
But he had no time to dwell on it. Minamoto's blade was already heading his way.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Nagato gritted his teeth and raised his hand. A powerful repulsive force surged forward, clashing against Minamoto's blade.
"Amaterasu!"
Itachi seized the opportunity. His Mangekyō Sharingan spun, unleashing the black flames of Amaterasu towards Minamoto.
Yet Minamoto showed no intention of dodging. He merely glanced at the approaching flames.
Buzz—
A mysterious power erupted, halting the flames in mid-air. They didn't advance even an inch.
The next moment, the flames fell to the ground, spreading and burning.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"
"Fire Release: Head Engraving Pain!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Combined Ninjutsu: Flame Wind Chaos Wave!"
Sasori and Kakuzu, now free from the gravitational pull, immediately formed seals.
A storm of iron needles, accompanied by a tidal wave of flames, surged towards Minamoto like an unstoppable force!
"You've timed your attacks well. But..."
Minamoto shook his head slightly, his voice tinged with mockery.
He raised his hand, and a shimmering barrier appeared before him.
The iron needles and flames dissipated upon contact with the barrier. Minamoto continued speaking.
"It seems only one of you has learned their lesson. The rest of you, however, remain as ignorant as ever."
"..."
The Akatsuki members, including Nagato, fell silent.
Though their exchanges had been brief, they could all sense the overwhelming power of the man before them.
Nagato clenched his fists tightly. The techniques Minamoto used were ones he knew, yet he couldn't replicate their precision and mastery.
"Who is this guy? Why is he like this?"
Nagato gritted his teeth, while the others wore expressions of extreme seriousness. The danger posed by this man was far beyond their expectations.
"Alright, I suppose it's time for me to get serious. But before that..."
At that moment, Minamoto spoke again.
"I think we should leave this place first, don't you?"
As his words fell, the Akatsuki members suddenly realized their surroundings had changed.
Moments ago, they had been in Konohagakure. Now, they found themselves in a forest outside the village.
Looking back, they could still see Konohagakure in the distance.
"This is..."
Their hearts trembled. They had been transported without even realizing it.
Such spatial abilities were terrifying!
"Crushing ants doesn't trouble me, but..."
Minamoto floated in mid-air, his power radiating outward.
"But I've never considered crushing ants to be an accomplishment."
Chakra surged around him, enveloping and solidifying his form.
"You inferior creatures are no different. But you've taken what I want and refuse to return it. That's quite troublesome for me."
Under the influence of the Chakra, Minamoto's figure seemed ethereal, like a ghost—or a god.
In that instant, he entered the Tenseigan Chakra Mode!
"To honor your courage, let me show you my power."
His radiant, star-like eyes swept over the stunned Akatsuki members. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Your defeat is inevitable, inferior creatures."
"Is that...?"
On the moon, the Ōtsutsuki clan members glanced at the pulsating giant Tenseigan.
They exchanged looks before sighing in resignation, choosing to ignore it.
They had seen too much of this to care anymore.
As long as the Tenseigan didn't collapse, it didn't matter to them.
After all, they shared the same disdain for the world below.
"So it's finally here? And with such intensity?"
In Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku's eyes snapped open as he sensed the raging Chakra. He immediately recognized the gravity of the situation.
"Great Sage!"
Just as he prepared to locate the Chakra's source, Fukasaku rushed in.
"Great Sage, we've found it!"
"Oh?"
The Great Toad Sage, his drowsy eyes widening, asked eagerly.
"Where?"
"A report from one of Jiraiya's summoned toads. The source of this power is in Konohagakure. A small toad has already been sent there."
"Konohagakure?"
The Great Toad Sage was incredulous. He quickly used the Telescope Technique to locate the toad in Konohagakure.
In that moment, he saw a faint, blurry figure.
"Finally, we've found you, Ōtsutsuki Minamoto..."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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